Concern crosses Ruby’s face for a quick moment. “We’re almost there.”
“Good.” I’m a little winded and all I did was walk. “I need to start working out again.”
“Yeah, that might help.” Ruby hangs back, going slow on purpose for my sake. The flickering light of the torches by the Covenstead door come into view, and my heart swells in my chest. For a moment, I can pretend all is right in the world.
I’m married to the love of my life. We’re restoring our dream house and will be moving in soon. I’m pregnant with our first child, and soon we will be a family of three. And I’m going to my coven to celebrate the Feast of the Blood Moon.
But Lucifer is on the loose, and there’s a good chance he’s just as excited about this baby as Lucas is…but not because he gets to be a doting father. It’s because he wants to steal this baby from my arms and make them rule Hell in his place.
My throat starts to feel tight.
Lucifer is free, but that’s not all.
Demons want to kidnap me and force me to rule on their behalf. And all of heaven wants me dead. Something attacked those kids in the woods, and it wasn’t Scarlet. Something else is out there, lurking in the dark.
I close my eyes and try to convince myself it will all be okay. Because it has to be somehow. It just has to. Fuck, I wish I could drink.
The door to the Covenstead is already open, since so many coven members are coming at the same time we are. Four council members stand guard, and Ruby quickly warns them about the scrapper demons. I can feel the lines of protection drawn around the door, and we’re all on high alert already.
A full moon this close to Samhain usually means trouble…trouble that I typically deal with. Trouble that I cut down, vanquish, and eliminate.
I swallow another lump rising in my throat and put on a smile, greeting the council members. I’m happy to be back, and I have to show it. Freya and Pandora go ahead through the door. Binx stays by my side, sensing my anxiety. I pick him up and he immediately starts purring, comforting me. I kiss the top of his head and go with Ruby through the door.
Blue light surrounds us, and only a few seconds later, we’re greeted in the courtyard of the Covenstead. The scent of bonfire and incense hang heavily in the air, brought right to me by the gentle breeze. My heart swells in my chest, and I know—without a doubt—I’m home.
“Callie!” Nicole, dressed in a long black gown, sees me and rushes over. She throws her arms around me. “I’m so glad you’re here! I was a little worried you wouldn’t show.”
“Why wouldn’t I show?”
“You were busy with Lucas or something,” she laughs. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“I do make the party,” I joke. “Though you’re going to have to drink for me this year, and keep it quiet.”
“Right.” Nicole nods and her long red hair falls in her face. “I might have already started.”
“I can tell.” I give her a wink. “If anyone asks why I’m not drinking, tell them I’ve joined AA. It’s probably believable.”
Nicole laughs. “Yeah…probably.”
I cock an eyebrow and she winces, then laughs. “Fine. It is believable, and I’d give anything for some wine right now.” I let out a breath and try to let my worries go. I’m in the Covenstead. Nothing can touch me now. I should enjoy this moment and stop worrying about what could happen.
“Where’s Naomi?”
“In the great hall. I made her save us seats. Are you hungry?”
“Starving!”
Nicole loops her arm through mine and I wave for Ruby to follow. The Covenstead as well as the connecting Academy always has a gothic look and feel to it, but it’s been done up for the Feast and will stay this way until the Samhain celebration. There are crystals and jars of water out along the courtyard path, charging in the light of the full moon. Energy buzzes all around us, and I know we can all feel it. It fills me with excitement, making it easier to pretend all is right in the world.
We enter the large, stone building and weave through witches and warlocks, partying and celebrating the feast. A few kids run about, still in their costumes from trick-or-treating downtown. A young mother passes us